Thorough preparation gives you the best chance of a well-healed facelift, and that work begins well before you walk into the operating theatre. The three weeks of preparation that precede surgery have a real influence on healing, the visibility of bruising, the rate of complications and the patient’s overall experience of recovery. Treating preparation as an active part of the surgical journey, not an administrative formality, is one of the most useful mindset shifts a patient can make.
There’s also a regulatory step in Australia that wasn’t around before. From 1 July 2023, the Medical Board’s cosmetic surgery guidelines require a seven-day cooling-off period at a minimum, sitting between when you give informed consent for major cosmetic surgery and the actual day of the procedure. Anyone under eighteen gets a longer three-month wait. The idea behind it is simple. Patients should have time to think things over, raise more questions and move ahead without feeling rushed. This applies to every major cosmetic surgery, facelifts included.
Many patients use the cooling-off period productively. It is often when cost questions are re-read, second opinions are sought and final logistics are sorted out. The checklist below sets out what to do across the weeks of preparation, from consultation to the morning of surgery. Individual instructions from Dr Rastogi and the anaesthetist always take precedence.
The Pre-Operative Consultation: What to Bring
A minimum of two consultations is required at Dr Rastogi’s clinic before facelift surgery is scheduled. Each consultation is an opportunity to assess anatomy, discuss technique, and confirm that the procedure is appropriate. It is also where the cooling-off period formally begins. Patients who arrive prepared get more out of each appointment. The candidacy article on the Rastogi site is a useful read in advance.
Bring a written medical history with you. List any chronic conditions you live with, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or thyroid disease. Note any past surgeries you’ve had, any reactions you’ve experienced with anaesthetic agents, a family history of clotting disorders, and whether you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Being honest and thorough protects you. Leaving things out can cause complications that could have been prevented.
Bring a current list of medications. Include prescription medication, over-the-counter products, herbal remedies and every supplement. Patients sometimes assume that herbal teas, fish oil capsules or turmeric powder are not worth mentioning. They are. Several of them affect bleeding.
Bring photographs only if they help clarify a realistic goal. Avoid heavily filtered or retouched reference images. A list of questions, written down in advance, is also helpful; Dr Rastogi has prepared a separate article on the questions worth asking. If the procedure may be partially Medicare-eligible for a reconstructive component, a current GP referral should be in place.
Smoking, Vaping, Alcohol and Nicotine
Nicotine is the single most important modifiable risk factor in facelift surgery. It constricts blood vessels, restricts oxygen delivery to the skin, and significantly increases the risk of poor wound healing and, in severe cases, skin necrosis along the incision lines. The risk is not theoretical and not small.
All forms of nicotine should cease at least four to six weeks before facelift surgery. That includes cigarettes, vapes, nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, nicotine patches and snus. Avoidance should continue for at least 4 weeks after surgery while the skin and deeper tissues heal. Patients who are struggling to stop should speak openly with their GP; nicotine replacement options are not a workaround during this period, because the underlying issue is nicotine itself rather than the delivery system.
Honesty about this matters every bit as much as the act of stopping. When someone says they’ve quit smoking, but they haven’t, we’re going into the theatre missing a piece of the picture, and that’s a real safety issue. Nobody on the team is going to judge you for it. We just want to take care of you properly.
Alcohol should be ceased at least one week before surgery. Alcohol thins the blood, contributes to dehydration, interferes with how the body responds to anaesthetic agents and increases the likelihood of post-operative bruising. Reduced intake in the weeks before surgery also helps liver function settle, which assists with the metabolism of medications around the time of the operation.
You’ll need to tell us about any recreational drug use, cannabis included, and stop using before surgery. Cannabis is worth flagging in particular because it can interact with anaesthetic medications, and the anaesthetist needs accurate information to plan properly. Whatever you share stays within the medical team.
Medications and Supplements to Pause
A common cause of avoidable bleeding during and after facelift surgery is supplement use that the patient did not consider relevant to mention. The list of products that can affect bleeding or interact with anaesthesia is longer than most people expect.
Around one to two weeks before your facelift, there are several things you’ll need to put on hold. Aspirin tops the list, along with any combination product containing it. The same goes for NSAIDs (think ibuprofen). Fish oil, omega-3 capsules and vitamin E in higher doses all need to go. So do ginkgo, garlic tablets, turmeric or curcumin, ginseng and St John’s Wort. Check your multivitamin too: if it’s loaded with vitamin E, it’s on the pause list. A few surgeons will also ask you to stop green tea extract and high-dose vitamin C. Paracetamol is generally fine if you need something for pain. Give the clinic a call if you’re not sure about a particular product.
Essential prescription medications should not be stopped without coordinated advice. Medications for blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid conditions, epilepsy, mental health and many other indications must continue. Any change is made by the prescribing doctor in consultation with the surgeon and the anaesthetist, and only when there is a medical reason to do so. Patients should never self-adjust a prescribed medication in preparation for cosmetic surgery.
Hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy are managed on an individual basis. Some doctors request a pause to reduce the small but real risk of venous thromboembolism around surgery; others do not. The decision considers the patient’s age, body mass index, family history of clotting disorders and other risk factors.
Throw everything in a bag and bring it along. Yes, everything. The tablets in your bathroom drawer. Your gym protein powder. That herbal mix your friend swore by. Traditional remedies. If you take it, we want to see it. This isn’t a test. Seeing what you actually take helps your team work out with you what should be paused and what can stay.
Diet, Hydration and Weight Stability
What you eat shapes how well you heal. Your body needs protein to rebuild tissue. It needs vitamins and minerals to make collagen and support your immune system. And it needs water to keep your circulation moving and get nutrients to the skin that’s repairing itself. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of protein in the weeks before surgery gives your body what it needs to do all of this.
A Mediterranean-style pattern of eating, lean proteins, fish, eggs, legumes, plenty of vegetables and fruit, olive oil, whole grains, and limited ultra-processed food, is a sensible default in the lead-up to surgery. There is no need for any specific brand of product, no detox regime, no supplement protocol, and no juice cleanse. The wellness industry has plenty to say about preparation for surgery; most of it is unhelpful, and some of it (high-dose herbal protocols in particular) introduces bleeding risk.
Hydration is simple enough. Drink water steadily throughout the day in the week before your surgery. Cut back on salt in the last three to five days. Most of the salt people consume comes from processed foods and restaurant meals, and excess salt makes your face hold onto fluid, which keeps post-op swelling visible for longer.
Weight stability matters. Drastic dieting in the weeks before facelift surgery is counterproductive. Rapid weight loss destabilises the body’s healing capacity, can affect skin quality and can reduce protein reserves. Patients who lose substantial weight after surgery may also see a change in the facelift result, because volume loss in the face will alter how the deeper tissues sit. The goal is to be at a stable, healthy weight for the patient’s frame, sustained for at least three to six months before surgery and maintained afterwards.
Skin Preparation and Skincare
Healthy skin heals more predictably. The skincare goal in the weeks before surgery is not a transformation; it is to bring the skin to a calm, well-hydrated baseline.
Retinoids, including over-the-counter retinol and prescription tretinoin, are typically discontinued approximately two weeks before surgery. They can increase skin sensitivity in the early healing period. Chemical peels, microneedling, microdermabrasion and laser or energy-based skin treatments should be avoided in the four weeks before surgery, because the residual inflammation they cause is best resolved before the skin is operated on.
A gentle cleanser, a basic moisturiser and a broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen used daily are sufficient for most patients during this period. Any prescription skincare prescribed for active conditions, such as topical treatments for rosacea or eczema, generally continues unless the Dr Rastogi advises otherwise. Sun exposure on the face should be minimised in the final weeks; tanned skin masks the pre-operative photographs that Dr Rastogi use as a reference, and sunburned skin is not operated on.
Home Setup and Support Person
You’ll need a nominated support person. This could be a partner, an adult child, a sibling or a close friend. Their role is to pick you up from the hospital when you’re discharged, stay overnight for the first 24 to 48 hours and help with practical things in those first few days. You won’t be able to drive for one to two weeks (it varies by person), so plan for someone to drive you to follow-up appointments, too.
A comfortable recovery zone makes the first week meaningfully easier. Most patients set up a recliner or a bed with extra pillows to keep the head elevated at 30 to 45 degrees while sleeping, which helps limit facial swelling. Dr Rastogi has written separately about how long to maintain that position and other sleeping tips that apply through the first weeks of recovery.
There are a few practical things worth sorting out before surgery. Get some button-front or zip-front shirts so you don’t have to pull anything over your head. Make some soft, easy-to-eat meals in single portions and freeze them. Stock up on low-salt, protein-rich snacks. Buy straws for drinking, some lip balm, and pick up mild stool softeners if Dr Rastogi suggests them. Have a clear plan for your medications. In those first few days, audiobooks and podcasts tend to work better than reading or screen time, since looking down for long stretches can pull on your jaw and neck.
Pets and small children both need their own arrangements. Pets are loving but unpredictable around healing faces, and young children often need to be lifted and held. If you are a new mum, you don’t have to stop being one in that first week, and your Dr Rastogi’s team can show you safe ways to hold and lift your child that protect your healing results. Family support, a temporary helper or a friend’s home for a few days can all work.
The Week Before and the Day Before Surgery
The week before surgery is when administrative loose ends are tied up. Our rooms will call you to go through a one-week checklist and ensure you are well prepared; your hospital admission and fasting times are confirmed a few days before the procedure. Pack a small overnight bag if an overnight hospital stay is planned: comfortable, loose clothing for going home, slippers, glasses (if normally worn), lip balm, and any current medications in their original packaging. Leave valuables, jewellery and large amounts of cash at home.
Read the pre-operative instructions provided by our clinic carefully. Fasting rules vary by anaesthetist and procedure, but typically no solid food or chewing gum is allowed from midnight on the day of surgery. Water is the important exception: keep sipping water right up until one hour before you present to the hospital, unless your anaesthetist tells you otherwise. Strict adherence to fasting is a safety requirement; surgery may be postponed if fasting rules are not followed.
On the night before surgery, shower with any antibacterial wash that Dr Rastogi has recommended, paying attention to the face, neck, hairline and behind the ears. Wash hair the night before and leave it clean and product-free. Remove all makeup, but you are welcome to leave your nail polish on, on both fingers and toes. Aim for an early night. Avoid alcohol entirely. Confirm transport and the support person one last time.
The Day of Surgery: What to Expect
Arrive on time with the support person, the admission paperwork and any required identification. The admission process usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Patients change into a theatre gown, vital signs are checked, and the anaesthetist meets with you to confirm the anaesthetic plan and review any medications.
Dr Rastogi reviews the surgical plan and marks the face while the patient is sitting upright, which is the position in which the anatomy is best assessed. Final questions can be asked at this point. Nervousness on the morning of surgery is completely normal; openly discussing it with the nursing team is welcome, and there are well-established ways to help. After the procedure, patients recover in the post-anaesthesia care unit before being transferred to a hospital room. Most patients stay overnight and are discharged the following morning, and the week-by-week recovery guide takes the story from there.
Final note: this checklist is a guide, not a substitute for the personalised instructions provided by Dr Rastogi and your anaesthetist. If anything is unclear, contact the clinic before the surgery date rather than after.
Why Choose Dr Rastogi for a Facelift (Meloplasty) in Sydney
Dr Anoop Rastogi (B. MED, FACCSM, AHPRA registration MED0001145438) has over 30 years of medical and surgical experience in Australia and internationally. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Newcastle and is a Surgical Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine (ACCSM). He currently serves as Surgical Dean of the ACCSM and is its immediate past President. As a Surgical Preceptor, he plays a key role in training and mentoring the next generation of cosmetic surgery practitioners through the College’s surgical training programme. His full clinical profile is available on the practice website.
Dr Rastogi has previously been an AHPRA-appointed surgical supervisor and has contributed to the Australian Medical Council’s Project Advisory Group, advising on programs of study in cosmetic surgery. He completed international fellowships in cosmetic surgery in London, Cambridge, Rome and Paris, working alongside surgeons including Dr Anthony Erian, Dr Giorgio Fischer and Dr Jean-Luc Bachelier. His council membership can be independently verified through the ACCSM website.
He founded his Double Bay practice in the 1990s and continues to attract patients from across Australia and internationally. Further information about his clinical background is available on the about page.
To arrange a facelift consultation with Dr Rastogi at his Double Bay clinic in Sydney, call 02 9362 1426 or complete the contact form on the website.
Facelit pre-operative FAQs
How long before a facelift (Meloplasty) should I stop smoking?
Patients should stop smoking, vaping and all forms of nicotine at least four to six weeks before facelift surgery, and abstain for at least four weeks after. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and is the most significant modifiable risk factor for skin healing complications, including skin necrosis. Honest disclosure to your cosmetic doctor is essential.
What is the cooling-off period for cosmetic surgery in Australia?
Under Australian Medical Board guidelines effective July 2023, a minimum seven-day cooling-off period applies between informed consent and cosmetic surgery in Australia. The purpose is to support informed decision-making. Patients under eighteen are subject to a three-month cooling-off period. The rule applies to all major cosmetic surgical procedures, facelift included.
What supplements should I stop?
Common supplements paused one to two weeks before facelift surgery include fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic, turmeric, ginseng and St John’s Wort. These can affect bleeding or interact with anaesthetic agents. Multivitamins containing high vitamin E should also be paused. Always disclose every supplement and herbal product to Dr Rastogi.
Can I drink alcohol before a surgery?
Alcohol should be ceased at least one week before facelift surgery, and ideally avoided for two weeks beforehand. Alcohol thins the blood, contributes to dehydration and interferes with anaesthesia. Reduced or eliminated intake supports a smoother surgical environment and recovery, and helps limit post-operative bruising and swelling.
Should I lose weight before a face lift?
Significant weight change immediately before facelift surgery is not recommended. Patients should aim to be at a stable weight in the weeks leading up to surgery. Substantial weight loss or gain after surgery can alter facial volume and affect facelift results. A balanced, protein-rich diet supports healing more than rapid dieting.
What should I do the day before surgery?
The day before facelift surgery, follow your fasting instructions, shower with any antibacterial wash provided, remove all makeup and jewellery (you can keep your nail polish on), and confirm your transport and support person. Get an early night. Do not consume alcohol. Arrive on time the next morning with all admission paperwork.
Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. The content on this page is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary and depend on multiple factors, including anatomy, healing and aftercare. Before proceeding with surgery, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner. Dr Anoop Rastogi, MED0001145438.
Further Reading
Am I The Right Candidate for Facelift at Rastogi Clinic (Candidacy considerations to discuss at the pre-operative consultation)
What Questions Should You Ask Before a Face Lift? (Useful prompts for getting the most out of each consultation)
Facelift Recovery Week by Week (What to expect from day one through to month three of recovery)
How Much Does Face Lift (Meloplasty) Cost? (An overview of how facelift fees are structured in Australia)
How Long Should I Sleep with an Elevated Head After a Face Lift (Practical sleeping tips that influence the home setup before surgery)
Medical References
Medical Board of Australia – Cosmetic Surgery Guidelines (Official source for the seven-day cooling-off period and other Australian cosmetic surgery requirements)
Healthdirect Australia – Facelift (Government-funded patient information service covering facelift surgery and preparation.)
Better Health Channel (Victoria) – Facelift (Meloplasty) (Australian state government resource covering pre-operative preparation in detail)
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) – Cosmetic Surgery Information for Patients (Regulatory guidance on choosing a registered medical practitioner)
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – Cosmetic Procedures (Australian regulator information on devices and therapeutic goods used in cosmetic surgery)
PubMed – Preoperative Risk Factors and Complication Rates in Facelift Surgery (Aesthetic Surgery Journal) (Peer-reviewed evidence quantifying smoking, BMI and other modifiable risk factors)
Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine (ACCSM) (Australian professional body for cosmetic surgery and medicine)
